Training apparatus for simulating a pelvic examination

Abstract

There is provided a training apparatus for simulating a pelvic examination, the training apparatus comprising an anatomy model, a plurality of cervix models, a movable holder, and a base. There is also provided kits and uses thereof. There is also provided a method for simulating a pelvic examination.

1 . A training apparatus for simulating a pelvic examination, comprising:
 an anatomy model comprising a vaginal canal, the vaginal canal having a tube-like structure and comprising a viewing end and an open end opposite the viewing end;   a plurality of cervix models, each cervix model of the plurality of cervix models for displaying a cervical pathology;   a movable holder comprising two or more cervix model receiving formations, each of the cervix model receiving formations for removably attaching one of the cervix models; and   a base for supporting the movable holder, the base comprising one or more motion-limiting formations for defining a path of motion of the movable holder upon the base, and the base configured to align each cervix model of the plurality of cervix models with the open end of the vaginal canal upon movement of the movable holder along the path of motion.   
     
     
         2 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stand for supporting the anatomy model that is configured to align, in cooperation with the base, the open end of the vaginal canal with each cervix model of the plurality of cervix models upon movement of the movable holder. 
     
     
         3 . The training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stand and the base are a monolithic unit. 
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stand and the base are capable of being releasably interconnected. 
     
     
         5 . The training apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the releasable interconnection comprises a positive alignment pattern on one of the base or the stand and a negative alignment pattern on the other one of the base or the stand. 
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stand positions a longitudinal length of the vaginal canal of the anatomy model at a first angle within a range of about 30° and 60° relative to a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base positions the movable holder in an orientation such that a feature surface of each cervix model of the plurality of cervix models is at an angle of about 90° relative to the longitudinal length of the vaginal canal; and/or   the movable holder positions the plurality of cervix models at a second angle within a range of about 30° and 60° relative to a horizontal axis.   
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two or more cervix model receiving formations comprises a cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the path of motion is rotational. 
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more motion-limiting formations comprises a cylindrical pin and the movable holder has a conical shape. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the path of motion is translational and the one or more motion-limiting formations is a wall or a ridge. 
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the movable holder comprise a plurality of alignment formations that, when in operation, aligns each cervix model of the plurality of cervix models with the open end of the vaginal canal upon movement of the movable holder along the path of motion. 
     
     
         13 . The training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of alignment formations comprises a plurality of protrusions on the base and a plurality of recesses on the moving holder. 
     
     
         14 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each cervix model in the plurality of cervix models comprises a vaginal mount and a cervix. 
     
     
         15 . The training apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the vaginal mount comprises a container defining a mount cavity, and the cervix is received within the mount cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The training apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the open end of the vaginal canal comprises an inner canal diameter and an outer canal diameter;   the vaginal mount comprises an inner mount diameter and an outer mount diameter; and   the inner mount diameter and the inner canal diameter are equal and/or the outer mount diameter and the outer canal diameter are equal.   
     
     
         17 . The training apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each cervix model in the plurality of cervix models is configured to be releasably received into the open end of the vaginal canal through an interference fit. 
     
     
         18 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cervical pathology comprises a normal cervix, a trichomoniasis cervix, a Nabothian cyst cervix, an ectropion cervix, a polyp cervix, a condyloma cervix, a cancer cervix, a dysplasia cervix, a cervicitis cervix, a bacterial vaginosis cervix, a candidiasis cervix, a genital herpes cervix, or a syphilis cervix. 
     
     
         19 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cervix models comprises at least seven different cervix models, and the two or more cervix model receiving formations comprise at least seven cervix model receiving formations. 
     
     
         20 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the open end of the vaginal canal and the selected cervix model are separated by a space within a range of about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm when aligned.